As the sun dipped below the horizon, Markuss, Agatha, Bjorn Smallhorn, Ferro, and Makiri approached the coastline, captivated by the vastness of the ocean and the churning Maelstrom beyond. Their attention was drawn to a tall tree adorned with shimmering silver-and-gold runes, identified by Makiri and Ferro as a Rift Tree, a crucial element of Elysium designed to counteract the chaos of the Maelstrom. Nearby, a Two-Headed Sentinel stood guard, its purple and red heads displaying a mix of curiosity and irritation.
Makiri greeted the creature, and after a brief exchange, the purple head permitted the group to approach with caution. The red head expressed annoyance at the presence of mortals, demanding to know their intentions. The party revealed they were seeking a Planar Palace, believed to be hidden within an extradimensional space, and negotiated permission to climb the Rift Tree for a better vantage point. Ascending the tree, Makiri surveyed the surroundings but found no obvious portal, prompting her to suggest aerial scouting. Markuss took flight, rising above the landscape, where he spotted Saviya on a floating island, who claimed to have been watching the group.
This woman accused Markuss of loyalty to Jacqueline, but he quickly denied it, asserting that they had come to betray her. The conversation turned tense as she probed their motives, and Markuss called the party to prepare for confrontation. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when Saviya, a high priestess of He Who Walks In Blood, revealed her intentions to usurp the Jacqueline, asserting her claim to power and denouncing the current leader. The group learned that Saviya’s forces had attacked them under the belief they were traitors, the group then feigned loyalty to Saviya rather than the Blood Mistress before having a private conversation on how to ambush her.
As the battle commenced, Markuss attempted to shove Saviya from a ledge, but she began to fly back up as combat erupted. Agatha cast Lifeboost on Bjorn Smallhorn, enhancing his vitality for the impending clash. The Two-Headed Sentinel’s bodyguard, Zivni Vos, a Master Daemon, joined the fray, revealing its weaknesses and abilities to drain life force. The party fought fiercely, with Makiri grappling Zivni Vos and Bjorn pushing it back while Saviya maneuvered for advantageous strikes.
As the conflict intensified, Markuss struck Saviya with a Touch of Obedience, sowing doubt in her mind. Makiri pressed the attack, landing decisive blows that ultimately led to Saviya’s demise, leaving behind a pool of blood and a dawning realization of her failure. With her defeat, the group quickly collected one of her Dawnsilver Sawtooth Sabers, preparing for the next phase of their confrontation.
Ferro engaged Zivni Vos, delivering a critical strike that left the daemon on the brink of collapse. As the daemon fought back, it managed to drain Ferro’s vitality before succumbing to the combined effects of bleed and fire. With the immediate threats neutralized, the party faced an ominous vision as Gorum, a colossal figure, strode towards them, shaking the very fabric of reality. He Who Walks In Blood appeared, cutting down Gorum and unleashing cataclysmic explosions that fractured the island and set off a series of tsunamis.
Empowered by the chaos, the adventurers navigated the collapsing terrain, utilizing their skills to evade chaotic magic that targeted them individually. Each member of the party showcased their unique abilities, with Agatha dispelling a chaotic bolt, Ferro countering a magical surge, and Markuss cleverly deceiving the hallucinatory forces. They ultimately chose to enter the rift, regrouping in the familiar Vernai chamber.
Upon their arrival, they reported the events to the attendants, detailing the demise of Gorum and the appearance of He Who Walks In Blood. Jacqueline soon arrived, expressing gratitude for their efforts in exposing the usurper and offering each member a position within the Vernai. The party accepted, solidifying their alliance and reflecting on the gear they had acquired from Saviya, including powerful new weapons.